Jane Junn
Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University
The McCain and Obama campaigns should.
More than a third of Asian American likely voters were undecided about their choice for the U.S. President as recently as two weeks ago, according to new data from the 2008 National Asian American Survey. A national sample of 4,394 found 41 percent support Barack Obama while 24 percent say they will vote for John McCain.
Which presidential candidate will win the largest share of undecided Asian American likely voters? Much of that will depend on mobilization efforts, which could make the difference in battleground states where a few thousand votes can tip the balance.
Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing groups across the nation – in red states as well as blue states. They make up 5 percent of the U.S. population and live in growing numbers in battleground states including Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia. They are 13 percent of the population in California, 8 percent in New Jersey, 8 percent in Washington, and 7 percent in New York.
A majority of Asian American likely voters favor ending the war in Iraq and providing health care for all Americans – their positions are closer to the Democratic platform this year.
And yet, many remain unattached to either of the two major political parties. Like the immigrants at the turn of the last century – Irish, Italians, Jews – Asian Americans are open and poised to adopt partisan identifications that, once set, will tend to be passed from one generation to the next.
That’s why anyone who wants to win elections in an increasingly diverse America should care about Asian American voters.
Editor’s note: Click here to see the full 2008 National Asian American Survey, co-directed by Jane Junn (Rutgers University), Taeku Lee (UC-Berkeley), Karthick Ramakrishan (UC-Riverside), and Janelle Wong (University of Southern California). Jane Junn is a professor of political science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University.
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Let's stop fooling ourselves. This election is about race and America's cultural shift to the left! It's that simple. Anyone that denies it must be color blind or not paying attention. As estimated by political analysts, it's likely that 90% of African-Americans (more than 38,000,000 votes) in this country will be voting for a person without scrutinizing his sketchy background, experience and character. For example, has anyone listened to Howard Stern's street interviews? Who would've thought that Obama and Palin were running on the same ticket.
Asian-Americans can really make a big difference in this election and in future elections to come. We can finally have our voices heard. We need to be vigilant in our selection and not select a candidate simply because he looks different.
Protect America from becoming a country of entitlement and handouts! Follow the money trail and all the promises that comes along with his billion dollar war chest! Follow his path on how he got to where he is today..blind ambition or cunning deceit.
Help to take back America from the far left!
Nancy from Seattle is wrong about her comments regarding the McCain campaign. As a voter I'm glad there is a politician that is looking at how to uniquely reach out to certain groups of voters.
Thats just being smart.
There are some needs of Asian that are different from needs of Hispanics which are different from African Americans.
I'm glad that the Asian votes matter. It should.
I doubt that our community will vote for Obama purely because of him being a minority. We want someone who understands our needs and understands how to lead this country.
The guiding principle of the Republican philosophy is that each person is reponsible for his or her own place in society. This principle is shared by the many Asian immigrants who traveled to this country in search of a better life. Although not always true of the GOP, John McCain and his family have always been sympathetic to the concerns of minorities. It is one thing to talk the talk, but they have walked the walk. After all, his family has adopted a Bangladeshi girl and would be the first Asian American daughter of a US president. Even the people of Vietnam overwhelmingly support John McCain, a testament to his courage and respect they have for his role in improving US-Vietnam relations.
I am a small businessperson like many other Asians.
McCain's plan help me a small businessman with my healthcare with a $5000 tax credit. His plan would also allow me to keep my insurance plan I had in California's even though I moved to Virginia.
Both promise savings buy reducing costs in HealthCare by putting our Health Records Online.
Obama's plan calls for a new federal government program to manage health insurance plans. It took the Federal Government 3 years to process my green card application, and another 3 years to process my citizenship application. Under this new plan how would Obama insure that I don't have to wait 3-6 years to process my insurance claim?
It's sad that Ms. Jane Junn misrepresents her own team's research. If you read her CNN article you would never know that on page 11 of the National Asian American Survey, released Oct 6, it is flatly stated:
"Preferences for the presidential candidates vary by national origin. Support for McCain is highest among Vietnamese likely voters, with 51 percent planning to vote for the Republican candidate."
Thus, clearly, there are differences among ethnic (Asian) groups as to who they prefer in this presidential election. One should not jumble them all in one batch.
In reply to Larry L., I find your comments very offensive. I am Asian-American, and I am not voting for McCain. I find it offensive that you assume those who are not hard-working are going to vote for Obama. I consider myself a hard-working and responsible American citizen.
In reply to the article, more attention needs to be paid to the Asian-American voters. This election could very well be decided by this group of voters.
John McCain called for "the annihilation of North Korea" at one point in his life. I ask you this. Why would any Asian Americans vote for someone who said that?
I am so happy that CNN focuses on other races – we constantly hear about the Hispanic vote and suggest that all other races aside from white, black and hispanic form their own group and maybe then the two political parties will take notice of them. That old saying "safety in numbers" would help.
Larry L. – What does that mean only "hard working" people are going to vote for McCain?? That is exactly the kind of idiotic mind-set that the McCain camp keeps shooting their mouths off about and then having to "explain" themselves later. "THE OTHERS" like me, ARE hard working, who've never asked for "something for nothing" and voting for Obama because he stands for ALL Americans. Your one line comment speaks for itself and needs no explanation on what kind of voters McCain attracts.
Stop the presses; I can't believe that someone is actually, and rightfully, speaking in terms other than black and white.
Los Angeles is a city comprised of 140 nationalities which contributes greatly to the diverse tapestry of our nation; however, if you listened to the media, the pundits and the campaigns, you'd think America was strictly two-toned.
How is it that an asian immigrant can land on our shores, oftern having been persecuted at home, and within one generation, marry, start a family, own a business and send his/her children to the finest universities?
It starts at home, involves sacrifice, self-respect and education; the sooner others take note, the better our nation will become.
Well, Cindy from GA – When was the last time you saw a poll being conducted on the views of Asian americans? You see the African Americans version and hispanics version every day .... Both the campaigns are focusing on areas where they feel they can get more votes – frankly speaking , both sides are focused on winning the election – they will do and say anything to help get more votes – after that who cares.
I am sick of th whole thing and can't wait to get it over with – I am still undecided and most probably will be even on Nov 4th.
I find it ridiculous when one side accuses the other side of playing negative and dirty when both camps are doing the exact same thing !!!!! That is how elections are fought and won – accept it !!!
speaking for myself...as an asian.i can't bring myself to vote for an idiot (palin, let's face i, mccain is ancient). it's not about being racially motivated as one blogger suggest.....it's being "common sense" motivated. from patterns of what i noticed, newer generations of asians are more liberal and will more likely vote obama, while the older generation plus newly americanized 1st generation asian americans will more likely vote republican
we're a predictable bunch, lol.
Every vote counts. I remember in 2000 election between Bush and Gore. They were fighting for a few hundreds votes.
Every American, regardless of ethnicity, has a right to vote. That person and that vote, are viewed to be private, unless that individual elects to disclose his or her position. To insinuate that those who are successful will vote for McCain, and those less successful will vote for Obama, exposes the failure of the education system in America. Let me get this straight. "Rich is to Republican as Poor is to Democrat" – Boy are some folks confused. The Evening News now provides the World Audience with the Reality Show of Shows- "The Decline and Failure of Infectious Greed". So, if I understand claims made by a few, if you are rich and/or greedy, you are a Republican, and if you lost your job because your employer out-sourced to an off-shore supplier, you are a poor – out of work Democrat – with your hand out. Boy, we have failed in more ways than just economics.
I agree with you Cindy. My thing is, Barrack isn't trying to go for any one group – he is going after everyone. The McCain and Palin campaign are only going to areas where they know they will have republican supporters. They are especially going to the rural areas in the south. It has just been the the past week or so that they are spanning out. That is sad! If it is true that well do do Asian Americans will go for McCain just because they are doing well – that is sad. Vote for who you feel is best.
@ Larry L. doesn't that apply to everyone and not just Asians?
As an Asian and most importantly an American, I find this segregation of who is now going to pander to the Asian vote to be utterly racist to non Asians. Politicians are to serve ALL Americans and not just the Latino vote or in this case the Asian vote. If ANY politician attempts to make policies to sway an Asian vote – I for one will NOT vote for them.
I can't wait for some GOP spokesperson to accuse asians of beign racially motivated in their vote for Obama. Far right republicans speak as if only the ignorant, shallow, and evil would take a position that is different from there's.
The American states (red) and the anti-American states (blue). Very sad.
UMM...a lot of people are still undecided from all races. So why should any campaign pay attention to only one group? They need to be saying stuff to attract them all.
Cindy...Ga.
It's probably like every where else in the country,the Asians that are doing well and hard working are going to vote for McCain,the others ,well ,want something for nothing.